Australia’s chair of selectors, George Bailey, has dismissed speculation that Cameron Bancroft‘s exclusion from the Test team was related to the 2018 ball-tampering controversy.
Bancroft was the leading Sheffield Shield hitter last season and is again at the top of the run-scoring rankings this summer.
But he was unable to get a spot against the West Indies when David Warner retired, with
Steven Smith elevated to open and Matt Renshaw appointed the spare batter.
Bancroft has played two Tests against England since his ban, but the statement he made in an interview in 2021.
How the fast bowlers could have understood what was happening prompted them to issue a unified statement saying they did not know of the conspiracy.
No, Bailey responded categorically, when asked if any lasting concerns from that period influenced his choice.
“I’ve told Cameron about it countless times.” It has never been discussed from the perspective of the panel. It is a cricket decision.
There isn’t a single member of the squad who would object to Cam participating, and we surely don’t.
I’d be unhappy if someone used it as an excuse.
All I can say to you and Cam is that this is not the case; it has never been and will never be.
Bailey admitted that Bancroft had made a compelling argument with his run totals, but at the
time, they saw Matt Renshaw as the next-best hitter in line.
He also stated that Marcus Harris, who has a central contract and has been the spare hitter during
the Ashes should consider himself unlucky.
Cam’s record over the previous couple of years has been tremendous, which has made this choice
extremely difficult, a line-ball call, according to Bailey.
He is pounding on the door. I believe several guys are knocking on the door, which is fantastic.
As thrilled as Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green are, you know there are folks on the other side
All of those guys know what it’s like to be a member of that Test squad; they’re all working hard to
get back there, and there will be opportunities in the future.
And there’s no doubt that being in the right position at the right time, playing at your best at the
the right moment is an important aspect of cricket selection.
In that regard, I feel for Marcus Harris, who has gone on a lot of trips and was unlucky to be
discarded the last time he played Test cricket.
I’m sure it’s hollow for those folks right now, but it’s the age-old adage that you have to keep doing what you’re doing.
Bancroft acknowledged a few days ago that he would be dissatisfied if Australia chose a non-traditional opener to replace Warner.
Cricket is everything to me, and I’ve dedicated my life to improving my skills as an opening batsman, he added.
Matt Renshaw’s selection puts him next in line when another vacancy arises at the top of the order – and there is speculation.
He is being seen as an eventual replacement for Usman Khawaja – although Bailey also
mentioned Western Australia’s Aaron Hardie and South Australia’s Nathan McSweeney.
These are two players who are striving for higher honors.
This is an indication that if an extra batsman is taken for the two Test matches he could be considered for the New Zealand tour in March.
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